Acquired resistance genes and uses thereof

Abstract

Genomic and cDNA sequences encoding plant acquired resistance proteins are disclosed. Expression of these polypeptides in transgenic plants are useful for providing enhanced defense mechanisms to combat plant diseases.

We claim:  
     
         1 . An isolated DNA molecule that encodes a protein involved in the signal transduction cascade leading to systemic acquired resistance in plants, wherein said DNA molecule is comprised within YAC clone yUP19H6.  
     
     
         2 . An isolated DNA molecule that encodes a protein involved in the signal transduction cascade leading to systemic acquired resistance in plants, wherein said protein comprises the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 3.  
     
     
         3 . An isolated DNA molecule that encodes a protein involved in the signal transduction cascade leading to systemic acquired resistance in plants, wherein said DNA molecule comprises the coding sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 1.  
     
     
         4 . A chimeric gene comprising a promoter active in plants operatively linked to the DNA molecule of  claim 1 .  
     
     
         5 . A recombinant vector comprising the chimeric gene of  claim 4 .  
     
     
         6 . A host cell stably transformed with the recombinant vector of  claim 5 .  
     
     
         7 . A plant stably transformed with the recombinant vector of  claim 5 .  
     
     
         8 . The plant of  claim 7 , which is selected from the following: sugar cane, wheat, rice, maize, sugar beet, potato, barley, manioc, sweet potato, soybean, sorghum, cassava, banana, grape, oats, tomato, millet, coconut, orange, rye, cabbage, apple, watermelon, canola, cotton, carrot, garlic, onion, pepper, strawberry, yam, peanut, onion, bean, pea, mango, sunflower, rape, broccoli, brussel sprouts, radish, kale, Chinese kale, kohlrabi, cauliflower, turnip, rutabaga, mustard, horseradish, and Arabidopsis.  
     
     
         9 . The plant of  claim 7 , wherein said protein is expressed in said plant at higher levels than in a wild type plant.  
     
     
         10 . A method of increasing SAR gene expression in a plant, comprising transforming the plant with the recombinant vector of  claim 5 .  
     
     
         11 . A method of enhancing disease resistance in a plant, comprising transforming the plant with the recombinant vector of  claim 5 .  
     
     
         12 . A chimeric gene comprising a promoter active in plants operatively linked to the DNA molecule of  claim 2 .  
     
     
         13 . A recombinant vector comprising the chimeric gene of  claim 12 .  
     
     
         14 . A host cell transformed with the recombinant vector of  claim 13 .  
     
     
         15 . A plant stably transformed with the recombinant vector of  claim 13 .  
     
     
         16 . The plant of  claim 15 , which is selected from the following: sugar cane, wheat, rice, maize, sugar beet, potato, barley, manioc, sweet potato, soybean, sorghum, cassava, banana, grape, oats, tomato, millet, coconut, orange, rye, cabbage, apple, watermelon, canola, cotton, carrot, garlic, onion, pepper, strawberry, yam, peanut, onion, bean, pea, mango, sunflower, rape, broccoli, brussel sprouts, radish, kale, Chinese kale, kohlrabi, cauliflower, turnip, rutabaga, mustard, horseradish, and Arabidopsis.  
     
     
         17 . A method of increasing SAR gene expression in a plant, comprising transforming the plant with the recombinant vector of  claim 13 .  
     
     
         18 . A method of enhancing disease resistance in a plant, comprising transforming the plant with the recombinant vector of  claim 13 .  
     
     
         19 . A chimeric gene comprising a promoter active in plants operatively linked to the DNA molecule of  claim 3 .  
     
     
         20 . A recombinant vector comprising the chimeric gene of  claim 19 .  
     
     
         21 . A host cell transformed with the recombinant vector of  claim 20 .  
     
     
         22 . A plant stably transformed with the recombinant vector of  claim 20 .  
     
     
         23 . The plant of  claim 22 , which is selected from the following: sugar cane, wheat, rice, maize, sugar beet, potato, barley, manioc, sweet potato, soybean, sorghum, cassava, banana, grape, oats, tomato, millet, coconut, orange, rye, cabbage, apple, watermelon, canola, cotton, carrot, garlic, onion, pepper, strawberry, yam, peanut, onion, bean, pea, mango, sunflower, rape, broccoli, brussel sprouts, radish, kale, Chinese kale, kohlrabi, cauliflower, turnip, rutabaga, mustard, horseradish, and Arabidopsis.  
     
     
         24 . A method of increasing SAR gene expression in a plant, comprising transforming the plant with the recombinant vector of  claim 20 .  
     
     
         25 . A method of enhancing disease resistance in a plant, comprising transforming the plant with the recombinant vector of claim  20 .